Titans down Raiders in lacklustre affair

The Gold Coast Titans have today defeated the Canberra Raiders in a first half performance that saw them lead 28-0 at the break, but then score no points in a largely uninspiring second half.

Canberra started woefully, giving the Titans an early penalty then coughing it up themselves a set later to give the home side early chances to attack - and winger Matt Petersen capitalised for Gold Coast. Rogers did miss the conversion, but easily potted the second, following a Jake Webster try, giving them a 10-0 lead.

Play continued to favour the Titans and they opened the Raiders lineup three more times before the siren sounded, Josh Lewis and Mat Rogers crossing before Petersen picked up a brace to have them in front 28-0.

A different pall was cast over the second half when the teams ran out, the lights coming on and the crowd of 13,644 treated to one of the more boring and poor halves of football we've seen this year. Tries only came to Canberra through William Zillman and Ben Jones, bringing us our final scoreline 28-8.

The first half saw the highlights of the game, the Titans best easily their half Scott Prince, and backs Matt Petersen and Mat Rogers. The Titans will go on next week to have a rest with the bye, while the Raiders will take stock and back up against the Eels at home on Saturday, most likely without Origin representative Neville Costigan, who was a driving force behind their second half attack today.

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
Welcome to Carrara's Gold Coast Stadium for this match this afternoon between two sides with relatively indifferent form so far in 2007. The match is set for kickoff at 2:00pm.

Gold Coast Titans are as per program, with a few changes for Canberra - Glen Turner and Adrian Purtell are out, with Tom Learoyd Lahrs and Ryan Hinchcliffe joining the Raiders side.

Keep your eyes peeled, kickoff about 10 minutes away.

0 min: Kickoff at Gold Coast Stadium! Titans with first possession.
Some bad news for the Titans as we kick off, Michael Hodgson injured in the warm up - David Myles is rushed in on the bench, wearing jersey 18.

1 min: Penalty in the first couple of plays for a play the ball infringement, the Titans will get a chance to attack early.

2 min: Canberra withstand the set but make an error on the start of their own, now the Titans will have the ball right on the line.

4 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans
Matt Petersen in early for the Titans in the corner, a sensational try built on the back of some good pressure. Conversion attempt by Mat Rogers unsuccessful.
Gold Coast Titans 4-0

11 min: Raiders looking to be a bit sharper and garnering a little more possession since the Titans try, surely they have to score soon...

16 min: Neither team able to penetrate the line since the opening try and some good defence from both side being showcased.

20 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans
Jake Webster crosses as easy as you like and the Titans are simply looking more composed in attack at the moment. An uncharateristic lapse in defence by the Raiders costs them. Conversion attempt by Mat Rogers successful.
Gold Coast Titans 10-0

29 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans
Rogers displays some absolute individual brilliance to cross the line and put the Raiders well and truly to sleep at Carrara late in the second half. Conversion attempt by Mat Rogers successful.
Gold Coast Titans 22-0

38 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans
Petersen flies above the pack to earn a double and the Raiders are looking very, very ordinary now as we go to the break. Conversion attempt by Mat Rogers successful.
Gold Coast Titans 28-0

HALFTIME: Gold Coast Titans lead the Raiders 28-0 and although it wasn't too apparent early, the Titans really have too much class for this Canberra side. They've been ordinary in defence and error-prone in attack, and as such Scott Prince and Mat Rogers have both worked to tear their opposition apart for the Gold Coast.

This could get ugly. Stay tuned, the second half resumes soon.

41 min: Second half underway, Raiders with first possession.

41 min: Raiders earn a penalty but it doesn't go into touch and the Titans will now go on the attack. This could be a big big scoreline if a try is scored here.

43 min: No points of that first set for the Coast boys but they've still come out all guns blazing and the Raiders are going to struggle to contain them.

60 min: The Titans seem to have gone missing as the Raiders are offering some half-decent attack in lieu of their earlier try. Gold Coast looking nothing like the side that dismantled Canberra in the first 40.

67 min: Titans finally get some decent possession - the Raiders still looking a bit more composed in this second half. Gold Coast way too error prone.

69 min: The Raiders bomb a chance at another try as Withers has an attack of the dropsies again. A calamity of errors out there in this second half - in a game that can't end soon enough.

71 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Canberra manage another try through Ben Jones following a great break. Woeful Titans defence, only a lack of execution in attack has stopped the Raiders from launching a full comeback this afternoon. Conversion attempt by Michael Dobson unsuccessful.
Gold Coast Titans 28-8

75 min: VIDEO REFEREE - Possible Titans try for Matt Petersen... NO TRY. He took out the corner post.

FULLTIME: Gold Coast Titans 28 Canberra Raiders 8
A very substandard game by both sides in the second half has seen the Titans hold on by 20 points. Neither team offered much after the break, with plenty of drop ball and poor defence.